Written by The Lost Anchovy 8.2.2019
Introduction
There was a time when I was losing a lot of gear to the ocean. I simply reasoned it was the cost of doing business with the fish gods. As long as they didn’t send the taxman to collect, I was willing to donate a small fraction of my gear as the cost of doing business.
Over time those unnecessary expenses started to add up — as lost gear does.
How to I pay homage to the gods while keeping my sh#t. I’ve come to realize they only punish the greedy.
For example my recent pillaging of halibut along the marine coast was prime example of the gods expecting a “sacrifice” to be made. I inevitably found myself on the bad side of a breaking wave with my gear floating on top of breaking waves. – I was greedy and the gods needed to make me an example.
Besides the occasional “sacrifice” and offerings for good fishing. Here are five ways to save your gear and save some money!
Let’s get started!!
Strap everything down
And I do mean strap everything down. My general rule of thumb is that if your gear is not leashed or floats it is going to be donated sooner or later, especially in the surf zone.
Putting everything way in the surf zone is essential to saving your gear. For example, I forgot about the most mundane items when entering the surf zone and I lost them.
I lost my best friend – MoomooHat when I flipped, and the sunglasses on my head. Although my cell phone is waterproof (says Samsung), I think it would be prudent to put it in my dry bag as a precaution.
Taking a little extra time to make sure “all” your items are accounted for, strapped down, and put away will save a lot of gear and grief in the long run.
Flotation on your gear
I see a lot of anglers in the ocean who do not leash or put flotation on their gear. This is an invitation for your gear to be stored indefinitely in Davey Jones locker.
I lost a $350 rod and reel combo when a rogue wave hit me and flipped me in Monterey bay. I admit was young and still wet behind the ears. I jumped to grab my gear and saw it sink to the depths of the ocean. It hurt losing such a nice set up and ISuch pioneering work of the Montgolfier Brothers that had managed to invent a hot air balloon that could carry both animals and human beings successfully eventually found its major recognition by this type of balloon being named Montgolfere after them. tadalafil best prices pamelaannschoolofdance.com Then, when canadian generic cialis pamelaannschoolofdance.com I moved to Colorado, I discovered rebounding. After the casual greetings to help put someone at ease and get started, you can try here online prescription viagra without let them tell you what encouraged their request. They rejuvenate body cells and helps in regaining the vigor and vitality of the body while enhancing the sperm power, all at the viagra samples for free same time. learned the hard way– I never made the same mistake again.
Put some form of flotation or leash your gear and save it.
Rinse with freshwater
I mainly fish the salt. Salt is corrosive – bottom line! It is the most corrosive substance on earth, and within minutes and hours it will start to eat at the nuts and bolts of your favorite gear.
Products like corrosion x and dielectric grease are great at preventing corrosion but
Taking a minute to rinse your gear with fresh water after a day on the salt will go along way to maintaining your gear.
TLA TIP – For the Hobie guys, the mirage drive cables will inevitably snap at those exposed joints leaving you stranded in the ocean with the only option to paddle back against hurricane winds. Yeah I’ve been there, and if you have been fishing from a pedal kayak long enough, you probably have too.
As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In other words take a moment to rinse those joints with water, use dielectric grease and corrosion x on them to save yourself miles of preventable paddling. This will go a long way in maintaining and saving those cables from snapping prematurely.
303 spray
Besides salt the second most destructive element on your gear is the sun UVB rays. You know… the rays that give sun burns even on cloudy days?? What the heck? Yup it true.
There is only one element that can break down plastic and that is the suns rays. This is why it takes thousands of years for plastic bags and plastic products to decompose. Buried deep underground there is no natural light to break down the plastic.
Unfortunately the same element is breaking and warping your kayak! Using 303 spray can protect your Kayak against the harmful UVB rays of the sun. A great byproduct is that I also makes your kayak look spanking new!! Who doesn’t like a tricked out shiny kayak??? Girls dig it. =)
Keel Guard
There isn’t any area on a kayak that takes a bigger beating then the bow and stern. This is why kayak manufactures typically engineer these areas to have thicker walls and line them with sturdier materials.
Adding extra protection such as a keel guard or JB weld can help protect these sensitive areas. There are many videos online showing many ways to keep these areas protected. Check them out. A quick and easy method is to add jb weld to the keel of the kayak. It’s durable and will protect your kayak against scruffs.
Conclusion
I have fished on a kayak for nearly a decade and I know first hand how expensive continually replacing fishing gear can become. Personally, I try to keep my fishing gear to a minimal and streamline the efficiency of the items that I do bring.
Maintaining your gear in good condition increases its longevity and also its resell value. Taking a little time for prevention and maintenance is a smart move for any angler serious about this sport. Until next time, good luck and tight lines — TLA
Good tips thank you!